Damages Typically Awarded in Spinal Cord Injury Cases

By Steve Charpentier on December 02, 2014

It is nearly impossible to measure the effects that a spinal cord injury has not only on the life of the victim but on the lives of the victim’s family and friends. There are few injuries that can equal spinal cord injuries in terms of the devastation they can cause, physically, emotionally, and financially. The tragedy of such an injury is only compounded when it could have been avoided but for the negligent behavior of an individual or entity.

While the justice system may not be able to give victims of negligence their health and mobility back to them, it does at least afford them some opportunity to hold the parties responsible for their suffering accountable. At The Charpentier Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys are proud to fight for the rights of these injured victims to recover the compensation to which they are entitled under the law. We work tirelessly to ensure that victims of spinal cord injuries obtain the full measure of damages allowable, given the circumstances of their cases and the extent of their injuries.

Of course, the damages obtainable in spinal cord cases vary from case to case. During case evaluations at our law firm in Melbourne, spinal cord injury damages can be estimated initially; we can then arrive at a more concrete number through investigation and research. The best way to find out what type of damages you may be able to recover is to arrange for one of our lawyers to evaluate your case.

Types of Spinal Cord Injury Cases

At The Charpentier Law Firm, we handle cases involving both incomplete and complete spinal cord injuries. Most cases involve incomplete spinal cord injuries, in which the victim maintains at least partial ability to feel and move at and below the site where the spine was damaged. Victims of incomplete spinal cord injuries are generally able to recover some, most, or even all of their previous function or sensation, but only after lengthy and expensive rehabilitation.

Complete spinal cord injuries, on the other hand, entirely deprive victims of feeling and movement at and below the site where the spine was damaged. These victims will require care for the rest of their lives.

The type of spinal cord injury sustained by the victim will influence the types of damages we will be seeking in a given case.

Common Damages in Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Again, damages awarded in spinal cord injury cases vary from case to case, and there is no guarantee that you will be awarded these damages, if you are awarded any at all. Nevertheless, many of our past clients in such cases have recovered compensation for:

Hospital, doctor’s, surgeon’s, and other medical bills

Rehabilitation and home care costs

Medication costs

Loss of enjoyment of life

Pain and suffering

Mental anguish

Lost wages

It is important to note that, in law, you get just one bite of the apple, so to speak. That is, you get one opportunity to seek damages. You cannot return to the courts in ten years and ask for more money simply because you did not foresee an expense related to your injury. That is why it is important to secure skilled representation. Our attorneys are able to project the reasonable expenses related to your injury well into the future and present compelling evidence of your financial need. If your injury will require a lifetime of care, we will work to ensure that you receive the compensation you need.